Motorboat propelling and steering unit



March 21, 1961 Filed May 13, 1959 L. SMITH MOTORBOAT PROPELLING AND STEERING UNIT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY MAHONEY, ILLER& RAMBO ATTYS.

INVENTOR.

LAIRD SMITH March 21, 1961 L. SMITH 2,975,750

MOTORBOAT PROPELLING AND STEERING UNIT Filed May 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ,@III:III:I:

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IN V EN TOR.

LAIRD SMITH BY MAHON Y, MILLER mm?) ATTYs BY shown in Figure 3.

United States Patent MOTORBOAT PROPELLING AND STEERING UNIT Laird Smith, 2641 Fair Ave, Columbus, onto Filed May 13, 1959, so. No. 812,926

12 Claims. (Cl. 115-41 My invention relates to 'a motorboat propelling and steering unit. It has so do, more particularly, with mechanism for transmitting motive power in connection with boats of the inboard motor type from the engine to the propeller and for steering the boat.

According to this invention, I provide a simple-pro- .pelling unit which not only serves as means for propelling a boat but also as means for steering the boat to eliminate '1 the necessity of providing a rudder. The propelling unit is so disposed that it provides for proper and etficient exertion of the propeller thrust, being adjustable vertically to change its direction of thrust in accordance with -'changes in the planing angle of the boat hull. The pro- 'pelling unitis also adjustable horizontally about a vertical "axis so that it can be used in steering the boat and it will not be necessary to provide a steering rudder. Furthermore, the horizontal adjustment of the'unit about the vertical'axis' provides for the positioning of the propeller thereof to exert either-aforward thrust or a reverse thrust. Therefore, it' is not"necessary to provide a reverse gear.

" In addition, the unit is so designed and constructed that resultsin an obstruction of the area amidships. Furtherpart of the unit strikes a submergedobject with suificient force, instead. of damaging the propeller, the propelling unit will swing upwardly and rearwardly so that-it will pass over the obstruction without damage to the propeller thereof. Also, this movement of the unit 'actuates a switch which breaks the ignitioncircuit of the motor of the boat and, therefore, cuts off the motor. 7

Various other objects and advantages of my unit will be apparent as the description progresses.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated the a preferred embodiment of my invention but it is to be understood'that details thereof maybe varied without departing from basic principles.

In these drawings: Figure l is a schematic view showing my unit applied to a motorboat, the propeller thereof being in a forward,

the propelling and steering unit in a rearward position to:; 3

which it will swing if the unit strikes an obstruction. Figure 4 is a stern viewof the boat in the position Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the hull showing the propelling and steering unit thereon adjusted to reverse 7 propulsion position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detailed vertical sectional view of the unittaken substantially along line 6-6 of Figure 2. Figure 7 is a rear view, partly unit shown in Iii-sure. 6.

broken away, of the to many types of boats.

in 'use. Obviously,

j and, slot 32, as shown in Figure 7. This .as a slidable cover for the slot 32.

, amass Patented Mar. 21, 1961 Figure 8 is an enlarged detail, mainly in vertical section, showing the normal condition of the mechanism which adjusts the propelling and steering unit vertically.

Figure 9 is a similar view but illustrating the action of the adjusting mechanism when an obstruction is hit by the propelling and steering unit.

' With reference to the drawings, I have illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, the hull H of a boat of one inboard type having a keel K but it is to be understood that my invention is capable of application Within the hull is the usual inboard driving motor M. This motor M according to my invention can be located near the stern of the boat and its drive shaft 10 may be along the center line thereof. The unit of this invention may be directly behind the motor M in the aft section of the boat and is designated generally by the numeral 11. The driven shaft 12 of the unit 11 may be disposed in the same vertical plane as the motor drive shaft 10 along the keel line of the boat.

Thus, with my unit, it is not necessary to follow conventional engine installations where the propeller shaft requires that the engine be mounted at a sharp angle for proper alignment withthe long propeller shaft extending through the hull to the propeller, which results in an in Conventional engine installations, including the long propeller shaft, require that the engine .be mounted amidships to provide for the propeller shaft to be as close to a horizontal plane as possible. This more, with my invention it is not necessary to'provide a long propeller shaft, packing box and strut which are difficult to 'keep in alignment during installation or while misalignment causes vibration throughout the hull.

According to this invention, a pocket 13 is formed in the hull at the stern thereof and amidship thereof. This -pocket opens rearwardly and downwardly. An upper ,housingportion 14 of the unit 11 of substantially cylindrical form is mounted within this pocket 13 with its axis transversely thereof and the lower propeller housing and rudder portion 15 of the unit 11 projects from this pocket 13 beyond the hull in its various adjusted positions, as will be described more in detail later.

' As previously indicated, thecrankshaft 10 of the motor M drives the shaft 12 of the unit 11. This shaft 12 is rotatably mounted in bearings 16 in a forward extension 17 of the housing portion 14. The forward end of this extension 17 is clamped by clamping bolts 18 to a bulkhead 19 of the front of the pocket 13, the shaft 12 extending forwardly through an opening 20 formed therein in a proper location. The shaft 12 is coupled to the shaft 10 by means of a universal coupling 21. The rear end of the shaft 12 has keyed thereon a bevel pinion 25 which meshes with a bevel ring gear 26. This ring gear 26 is keyed to a transverse shaft 27. The shaft 27 is suitably rotatably mounted in the housing portion 14 at the axis thereof, the bearings 28 being provided for this purpose at the sides of the housing. The housing portion 14 may be suitably mounted on the side walls of the pocket 13, as for example, by the clamping units 29. A shaft 31 extends radially outwardly through asegmental slot 32 formed in the lower and rear quadrant of the housing portion 15. The inner end of this shaft carries a bevel gear 30 which meshes with the gear 26. This shaft is rotatably mounted in a bearing 33 in an outwardly extending sleeve portion 34 formed on a segmental guard plate 35 that carries a gear segment 36 on the rear portion thereof which is offset laterally relative to the shaft 31 plate 35 serves The shaft 31 also extends outwardly through an inward sleeve extension 48 formed as a part of the rudder portion 15. The shaft 31 is rotatably disposed within a bearing 41 mounted in the inner end of the sleeve portion at? and in a bearing 42 mounted in the rudder portion 15. The inner end of the sleeve portion 40 is rotatably supported by means of a bearing 43 on the outer end of the sleeve portion 34. Thus, the sleeve portion 40 with the rudder portion 15 can rotate relative to the sleeve portion 34 about the axis of the shaft 31. This rotation of the rudder portion 15 will serve as a steering means. The means for producing this rotation comprises a worm gear 44 formed on the sleeve portion 40 and which is engaged by a worm 45. This worm 45 is mounted on a housing 46 which is mounted on the sleeve portion 40. The worm 45 is carried by a worm shaft 47 which is rotatably mounted by the housing 46 and projects laterally therefrom. The outer end of this shaft 47 has a pulley keyed thereon to which a cable 48 is anchored. This cable 48 may lead to a suitable location in the boat where the wheel 50 for steering is mounted, as shown in Figures l and 2. Obviously, rotation of the wheel 50 will produce angular swinging of the rudder portion 15 of the unit 11 about the axis of the shaft 31.

The outer end of the shaft 40 carries a bevel pinion 51 which meshes with a bevel pinion 52 that is keyed on a transverse shaft 53 which is rotatably mounted in a yoke 54 carried by the bearing 42 on the lower end of the shaft 31. The shaft 53 serves as the propeller shaft and extends outwardly from the rudder portion 15. It is carried in the bearings 55 mounted on the lower ends of the yoke 54. The outer end of this shaft 53 has the propeller 56 mounted thereon. This propeller is disposed within an annular shroud 57 mounted on the rudder portion 15. The outer ends of the propeller blades are flattened, as indicated at '58, so that it will cooperate more effectively with the shroud. In this installation, the shroud is important in order to obtain better direction of the thrust created by the propeller. The housing portion 15 is concentricwith the shroud 57 and of smaller diameter so that there is an annular open space 59 therebetween and the portion 15 is preferably streamlined rearwardly from the shroud 57 to its rear pointed end 60. It will be apparent that the propeller shaft 53 will be driven from the engine shaft regardless of the adjusted position of the rudder'porti'on about the radial shaft 31. Adjustment of the portion 15 about the axis of the shaft 31 for steering will merely cause the pinion 52 to travel about the pinion 51 and will not interfere with the drive to the propeller. This movement of the rudder portion 15 about the axis of the shaft 31 is used not only for steering the boat but may be used as a reversing means. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the position of the propeller 56 and the shroud 57 may be completely reversed from the position shown in Figure 1. In the position shown in Figure 1, the propeller thrust results in a forward movement. In the position shown in Figure 5, the propeller thrust results in a reverse movement.

As previously indicated, the unit 11 including the rudder portion 15 along with the propeller 56 and associated shroud 57 can be swung vertically in order to obtain the proper direction of propeller thrust to compensate for differences in the planing angles of the boat which will vary with variations in speed, as is well-known. For example, the condition illustrated in Figure 3 may be desired. This adjustment is made about the axis of the shaft 27 and is accomplished by 'a worm gear means which includes the gear segment 36 that is carried by the plate 35. A worm 61 meshes with this segment 36, this arrangement being shown best in Figures 8 and 9. The worm 61 is carried on a worm shaft 62 which is rotatably mounted in a bracket 63. This bracket 63 is pivoted at 64 to a fixed support and guard 65whichmay be suitably attached to the housing 14. Although the worm and segment are shown at one side of the housing 14, the plate 35 could be extended to any point to position the segment circumferentially of the housing 14 as desired with the worm 61 similarly located. Normally, the bracket 63 is pivoted inwardly by means of a compression spring 66 disposed between the members 63 and 65 which acts as indicated by the arrow in Figure 8 to keep the worm 61 in engagement with the gear segment 36, the worm extending tangentially of the segment.

The worm shaft 62 is connected by a universal connection 68 to the lower end of a vertical shaft 69 which is suitably mounted in bearings 70 which are carried on a support 71 at the rear of the pocket 13. The upper end of this shaft 59 carries a pulley to which a cable 72 is anchored. This cable 72 extends forwardly of the boat and is connected to an adjusting lever 73 mounted adjacent the wheel 5 0.

It will be apparent that adjustment of the lever 73 will produce vertical swinging of the unit 11 about the axis of the shaft 27. By this adjustment, the unit 11 may be swung to any suitable position, for example, the position shown in Figure 3, in order to obtain the proper direction of propeller thrust in accordance with the planing angle of the boat. Swinging the lever 73 rotates the worm 61 which swings the segmental gear 36 about the axis of the shaft 27. Therefore, this produces swinging of the unit 11 including the rudder portion 15 and associated propeller 56. During this swinging action, the shaft 31 moves in the slot 32 in the housing 14. The pinion gear 30 during this adjustment merely travels around the ring gear 26. Obviously, this adjustment will not interfere with the drive to the propeller shaft 53 regardless of the vertical position to which the unit 11 is adjusted.

I have incorporated in this worm and gear arrangement a safety feature which permits upward swinging of the unit if the propeller 56 strikes an obstruction. This is accomplished by having the worm 61 provided with a buttress thread for'engaging the segmental gear 36, the shouldered side of the thread being upwardly and the angled side at the lower side as shown. The teeth on the segment 36 are reversed being abrupt at the lower side and angled at the upper side in accordance with the shape of the buttress thread. Consequently, if the portion 15 or the propeller shroud 57 strikes an obstruction as the boat is moving forwardly, the entire unit 11 will swing rearwardly about the axis 27 of the :shaft since the teeth of the segment gear .36 will slide over the buttress thread of the worm. This is due to the fact that the angular surfaces of the teeth of the segment 36 will cam over the angular surface of the buttress thread of the worm 36. This disengagement will be facilitated by the outward yielding of the spring 66 in the direction of the arrow in Figure 9 which will permit the worm 61 to move outwardly relative to the gear segment 36. However, normally rotation of the worm will move the gear segment due to the engagement of the abrupt .side of the thread with the abrupt side of the teeth of the segment 36. After once yielding, the engagement of the Worm '61 with the gear segment 36 can be restored manually.

When the unit 11 strikes an obstruction and swings upwardly, it is desirable to shut off the motor M. This may be accomplished by having a solenoid switch or other switch 75 which is connected into the ignition circuit of the motor by the lines 76 and 77 and which is actuated by outward movement of the pivoted bracket 63. The plunger 77 of the switch may extend through the spring 66 into engagement with the bracket 63. The switch is normally closed but will be-opened by outward pivoting of the bracket 63.

.It will be apparent from the above that I have provided a simple motorboat propelling unit which not only serves as means for propelling the boat but as a means for steering it. The unit is readily adjustable in two planes at right angles to eachother to provide for proper and eflicient exertion of the propeller thrust. This exertion may-be in a forward or everse direction and may be in accordance with the'planing angle of the boat. Furthermore, regardless of the adjustment of the unit, the drive to the propeller shaft is maintained and the steering control is maintained. Due to the yieldable adjusting means for tiltably adjusting the unit to various vertical positions, the unit will yield upwardly-when an obstruction or the like is encountered by the propeller or the housing associated therewith. V V,

Various .other advantages will be "apparent. Having thus described by invention, what I claim is: 1. A propelling unit for use in combination with an inboard motor disposed within the hull of a boat, comprising a housing attached to the boat and carrying a first shaft driven by the motor of the boat, said housing having a ring gear mounted for rotation therein and driven by said first shaft, a second shaft extending radially from said housing and having a pinion on its inner end meshing with said ring gear, a propeller shaft extending radially relative to said second shaft adjacent its outer end and driven thereby by meshing gears carried by the respective shafts, means for swinging said second shaft about the axis of said ring gear, means for swinging said propeller shaft about the axis of said second shaft, said means for swinging said second shaft about the axis of said ring gear comprising a worm and gear mechanism, and yieldable means for permitting disengagement of said worm and gear mechanism when a propeller carried by the propeller shaft strikes an obstruction, said worm and gear mechanism comprising a buttress type thread on the worm and cooperating teeth on the gear, and a yieldable member for normally maintaining the worm in engagement with the gear.

2. The combination of claim 1 including a motor for driving said first shaft, and control means actuated upon yielding of said yieldable member for controlling said motor.

3. A propelling unit for use in combination with an inboard motor disposed within the hull of a boat, comprising a housing attached to the boat and carrying a first shaft driven by the motor of the boat, said housing having a ring gear mounted for rotation therein and driven by said first shaft, a second shaft extending radially from said housing and having a pinion on its inner end meshing with said ring gear, a propeller shaft extending radially relative to said second shaft adjacent its outer end and driven thereby by meshing gears carried by the respective shafts, means for swinging said second shaft about the axis of said ring gear, means for swinging said propeller shaft about the axis of said second shaft, means for suspending said propeller shaft for swinging about the axis of said second shaft, said means for swinging the propeller shaft about the axis of the second shaft comprising worm and gear mechanism, said propeller shaft being mounted in a rudder housing portion and the propeller being mounted in an annular shroud carried thereby, means for rotatably suspending said housing portion from said first-named housing and comprising a plate mounted on said first-named housing having said second shaft extending radially outwardly thereof and mounted on said shaft, said second shaft extending through a segmental slot in said first-named housing which is carried by said plate, said Worm and gear mechanism for swinging said second shaft comprising a segmental gear carried by the plate and the worm thereof being mounted on a fixed support adjacent said plate.

4. A propelling unit for a boat or the like comprising a ring gear rotatably supported with its axis in a fixed position on the boat, an engine on the boat having a driving connection to the ring gear, a shaft extending radially from the ring gear and having a gear at its inner end meshing with the ring gear for travel therearound, a propeller shaft mounted adjacent the outer end of said shaft and driven thereby, a propeller on said propeller shaft, means for swinging said radially extending shaft about the axis of said ring gear, said means including acounection which yields upon the unit striking an obstruction, said connection including a worm and gear drive, and yieldable means acting on said worm and gear drive to normally hold it in engagement but to permit disengagement upon the application of sufficient pressure thereto tending to disengage it.

5. Aunit according to claim 4 in which the worm and gear drive includes a worm having a buttress type thread and agear having cooperating teeth.

6. A propelling unit for use in combination with an inboard motor disposed within the hull of a boat, comprising a housing attached to the boat and carrying a first shaft driven by the motor of the boat, said housing having a ring gear mounted for rotation therein and driven by said first shaft, a second shaft extending radially from said housing and having a pinion on its inner end meshing with said ring gear, a propeller shaft extending radially relativev to said second shaft adjacent its outer end and driven thereby by meshing gears carried by the respective shafts, means for swinging said second shaft about the axis of said ring gear, means for swinging said propeller shaft about the axis of said second shaft, means for suspending said propeller shaft for swinging about the axis of said second shaft, said means for swinging the propeller shaft about the axis of the second shaft comprising worm and gear mechanism, said propeller shaft being mounted in a rudder housing portion, means for rotatably suspending said housing portion from said first-named housing and comprising a plate mounted on said first-named housing having said second shaft extending radially outwardly thereof and mounted on said shaft, said second shaft extending through a segmental slot in said first-named housing which is carried by said plate, said worm and gear mechanism for swinging said second shaft comprising a segmental gear carried by the plate and the worm thereof being mounted on a fixed support adjacent said plate.

7. A unit according to claim 6 in which the worm and gear mechanism comprises a buttress type thread on the worm and cooperating teeth on the gear, and a yieldable member for normally maintaining the worm in engagement with the gear.

8. A propelling unit for a motorboat or the like including a propeller, means for mounting the unit for tilting movement in a vertical plane to obtainrthe proper direction of propeller thrust or to turn it angularly to steer the boat or to cause it to move forwardly or reversely, means connected between said mounting means and said unit to tilt the unit and including yieldable mechanism which permits movement of the unit in the vertical plane if it strikes an obstruction, and turning means connected between said mounting means and said unit at all times to permit angular adjustment of said unit at all times regardless of its tilted position in the vertical plane.

9. A unit according to claim 8 in which said tilting means comprises a worm and gear unit and said yieldable mechanism acts on said Worm and gear unit normally to keep it in engagement.

10. A unit according to claim 9 in which the worm and gear unit comprises a worm having a buttress type thread and a gear having cooperating teeth.

11. A propelling unit for a motorboat or the like including a propeller, means for mounting the unit for tilting movement in a vertical plane to obtain the proper direction of propeller thrust or to turn it angularly to steer the boat or to cause it to move forwardly or reversely, means connected between said mounting means and said unit to tilt the unit, and turning means connected between said mounting means and said unit at all times to permit angular adjustment of said unit at all times regardless of its tilted position in the vertical plane.

12. A propeller unit for a motorboat or the like in- 7 8 eluding a propeller, means for mounting the unit for yield under pressureto permit disengagement and tilttilting vmovement in a vertical plane to obtain -the proper ing of said unit relative-to said mounting means.

direction of propeller thrust or to turn it angularly to steer the boat or to cause it to move forwardly or re- References Cited in thti file of this Part3!t versely, a train of ,gears for driving said propeller re- 5 t i 7 gardless of its tilted or angularly adjusted position, and UNITED STATES PATENTS means in addition to saidtrain 'oflgearsand connected 1,824,213 Johnson -Sept. 22, 1 93! between said mounting means :andsaid unit vfor tilting 1,943,323 Johnson 'Jan. 16, 1934 the unit in the vertical plane, :said means including .-a 2,426,742 PawloWski'-. 1.- Sept. 2, 1947 normally engaged but ,yieldable -connection which "will 10 2,902,967 Wanzer Sept. 8, 1959, 

